By Staff
Even as North Carolina’s teachers are seeing no pay increases and an ending to bonus pay for achieving advanced degrees and certifications, Governor McCrory’s appointees and staff continue to get raises- over $1.7 million in raises. Making matters worse this follows the Governor’s public request that department heads freeze pay raises to cover what his administration claimed would be Medicaid shortfalls. Irony abounds now that WRAL is reporting that state personnel records show the agency that oversees Medicaid, the Department of Health and Human Services, gave out hefty raises anyway, especially to the governor’s former campaign staffers. The raises include one to Anthony Vellucci who is overseeing the NC Fast program. Issues with the NC Fast handover have left working poor and poor citizens hungry across the state while Velluci saw his pay increase.
According to reporting by WRAL:
gov mccrory
WRAL News found 280 full-time workers at DHHS who have received raises totaling $1.7 million since the governor’s directive. Also, some of those receiving raises have no career or educational experience for the jobs they hold. The information on state salaries comes from BEACON, the state government payroll system.
Mark Gogal, director of human resources for DHHS, pointed out that total is equal to 0.25 percent of the total agency payroll.
“Those increases were allowed under the governor’s memo for promotions at that time,” Gogal said, adding the DHHS total payroll budget is down $21 million from the same time last year.
Matthew McKillip, 24, makes $87,500 a year as a senior policy planner at DHHS. He received a $22,500 raise on April 1.
McKillip, who worked on McCrory’s campaign, has no educational background or experience in health policy on his resume, although he did work briefly at a conservative think tank.
Jason Simmons, 35, is also a policy planner at DHHS. He also received a $22,500 raise in April and now earns $62,500 year.
Simmons was a campaign operative for 2012 Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney before going to work for McCrory, but his available information also shows no educational background or experience in health policy.
Ricky Diaz, 24, is a public relations officer at DHHS. He got a $23,000 raise in April and now makes $85,000 a year.
Diaz was McCrory’s campaign press secretary and worked in his press office before going to DHHS. His available information shows no educational background or experience in health policy and little experience in communications, with most of that in online and social media.
Anthony Vellucci, the information technology director for NC FAST, received a $23,000 raise in June and now earns $168,000 a year. Vellucci does have an IT background, but the raise comes amid an array of problems with the social services benefits system that has left many hungry families without food stamps.
Syniyah Nevaeh Byrd has been missing since Wednesday evening (May 24) around 8pm. She was last seen in the vicinity of Trade Street, possibly near Northwest Blvd. It is unknown if she left that area on foot or was picked up by someone, and may have possibly taken the bus from the area.
At the time she was wearing blue jeans, a white t-shirt and black shoes. She likely has a black and tan backpack and/or a Nike knapsack. The child is thin and considered tall for her age and has short black hair.
Ms. Byrd is only 12 years old. Her mother and siblings are seeking the public’s assistance in locating Syniyah. The photos below have been provided by the family. A missing person’s police report has been filed, and anyone with information about Syniyah’s whereabouts are asked to contact the WSPD non-emergency number at 336-773-7700.
The following was provided for your information by Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center
The hum of a mower and the smell of fresh-cut grass are telltale signs of spring. However, before cranking up the mower and string trimmer, be sure to include an ounce of prevention with those quarts of oil and gallons of gasoline.
Each year, approximately 317,210 people nationwide are treated for various injuries resulting from lawn and garden tools, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Many of these injuries can be prevented when using proper safety precautions.
“Spending time in the garden or working in the yard can be a great way to enjoy the outdoors, reduce stress and get physical activity, said Michael Fitch, M.D., professor of Emergency Medicine at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. “Whether you’re a beginner or expert at outdoor chores, it’s important to be aware of the many dangers and hazards that can be presented.”
Fitch also advises against giving young children rides on mowers or tractors- as the child may fall off and be injured. Giving rides may also lead to children approaching the mower during operation without being seen.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, safe gardening and lawn tips can also include:
Pre-Start Inspection:
* Check for loose or damaged belts on mowers or trimmers.
* Ensure all blades are secure, balanced and covered.
* Be aware of any fluid leaks.
* Walk the area to be mowed and remove debris such as rocks, sticks, bottles, etc.
* The chute of the mower should be pointed away from people, animals, buildings and traffic.
Lawn Mower Safety:
* Never allow children under the age of 12 to operate a push mower and children under 16 should not operate a riding lawn mower.
* Keep young children and pets indoors and supervised at all times when any outdoor power equipment is being used.
* Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches, embankments or steep slopes. Use a string trimmer to cut grass in these locations.
* Stay alert for anyone who may enter the mowing area and always look down and behind before and during using reverse.
* Slow down when turning and make wide, gradual turns, especially when mowing on slopes. Mow up and down slopes, not across.
Dress to Protect:
* Wear safety goggles, gloves, sturdy shoes, socks and long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
* Protect hearing by wearing ear muffs or ear plugs when using machinery.
* Use insect repellent containing DEET.
* Wide-brimmed hats, sun shades and sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher can help prevent sunburn and skin cancer.
Those working outdoors also should stay hydrated with water, take breaks often and pay attention to signs of heat-related illnesses.
“By practicing safe yard habits, you can drastically reduce your risk of injury or injury to others nearby,” said Fitch.
The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Office of Emergency Management will give away two weather alert radios during the Skywarn Severe Weather Spotter Training it will hold on Thursday, March 23, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the N.C. Cooperative Extension building, 1450 Fairchild Road, Winston-Salem.
The training will include how and why buildings fail in high winds; thunderstorm development and severity; recognizing storm and cloud elements; anticipating storm motions, intensity and severity based on cloud structure; and lightning dynamics and threats.
The training is free. No registration is required. For more information call the Office of Emergency Management at 336-767-6161 or send an e-mail to leighac [at] cityofwsfire.org.
Skywarn volunteers support their local community by providing the National Weather Service with timely and accurate severe weather reports. These reports provide invaluable data to meteorologists and supplement information provided by other observation tools, including Doppler radar, when issuing official severe weather warnings.
The training is being co-sponsored by the National Weather Service. For more information visit ReadyForsyth.org.
Pre-Start Inspection: